Tropical Storm Trami is Approaching the Main Island of the Philippines

Tropical Storm Trami is headed toward the Philippines' main island and is likely to strengthen before reaching landfall. It may deliver torrential rain and endangering rice crops.

Trami, also known as Kristine, has peak sustained winds of 65 kilometers (40 miles) per hour and powerful gale-force winds that reach outward up to 680 kilometers, according to the Philippine weather agency.

The storm is expected to pass the Luzon coast late Wednesday or early Thursday morning.

The Philippines has closed schools due to a strong rainfall warning issued for regions south of Manila. The system will likely grow stronger into an intense tropical storm before making landfall, according to the meteorological bureau.

Tropical storm Trami tracks toward the Philippines

According to the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Centre, the storm is expected to diminish after reaching land when it interacts with northern Luzon's mountain ranges. 

High sea-surface temperatures and low-to-moderate vertical wind shear will facilitate the system's re-intensification as it moves across the sea to the west of the Philippines, according to the center. The Philippines' meteorological bureau also reported that it is expected to grow into a typhoon as it emerges over the South China Sea. 

According to the Hong Kong Observatory, it might be tracked near central Vietnam or the southern Chinese coast.